Page 11 of Caldar
The worried shouts of the crowd turned into panicked cries.
There was no time.
“I will ask for forgiveness later,” he growled, and scooped Sonia into his arms.
“Hey! Not cool! Let me down.” Sonia beat a hand against his chest.
“Everyone, return to your rooms and get in your emergency pods,” he shouted.
No one listened. At that moment, warriors in black armor teleported into the crowd.
There was a moment of absolute quiet. Wearing helmets that hid their faces, the warriors stood still as they assessed the situation. Armor hid their characteristic golden scales and reptilian features, but Caldar knew them on sight.
Suhlik.
Generations ago, the alien species engineered the perfect warriors to be faster, stronger, and have superior healing: the Mahdfel. They were weapons, used harshly and discarded when they became inconvenient. Caldar’s ancestors won their freedom and had fought the Suhlik ever since.
To call the Suhlik evil was overly simplistic, but he could not think of a better description. They considered themselves superior and had a moral duty to cleanse the universe of inferior life. It disgusted Caldar that their motivation was so uncomplicated, but true evil often clung to simplistic ideas.
His arms tightened around Sonia, as if he could shield her from their sight.
“Is that—” She never finished her question.
The screaming started.
A Suhlik soldier grabbed the nearest passenger, a plump Terran male. An armor coated arm pressed against the male’s throat. The male helplessly clawed at the arm choking him.
They vanished, teleporting out as quickly as they arrived.
All around, similar scenarios played out. Missiles continued to hit the ship.
This was not a slaughter. This was abduction on a mass scale.
“We have to help them,” Sonia said.
“I am one male.” He was outnumbered with only a few weapons hidden on his person.
“You’re a Mahdfel. You’re like five dudes.”
“A dozen, with my experience.”
Sonia made no comment about his lack of modesty. She must have been frightened.
Amid the disorder, he saw few opportunities. He could not save everyone, but he could help some passengers flee. First, he needed to keep Sonia safe. She was his priority.
“Do not look,” he said.
With one hand on Sonia’s head, he tucked her face against his chest and jumped off the balcony.
She screamed the entire way down. It was not pleasant.
He landed heavily, staggering but not dropping his mate. Warning sirens blared. Lights flashed in obnoxious colors. Passengers dashed in every direction. Chaos surrounded them.
“You are well,” he said to Sonia.
“Put me down!” She thrashed in his arms, but he refused. Not yet. A Suhlik soldier might teleport in and snatch her.
Caldar removed the jacket, placing the garment on Sonia’s shoulders. She looked prepared to argue. “Wear this.”
